Dodge Seat Install

[71meangreenc10]

Alot of folks have asked how I put my seats in, so when mother nature and uncle gave me a little bit of a break, I went out to take some pics.

The first four pics show the distance of the seats in place with the cab, the seats at the top have a little over 3 inches from the door frame on each side which looks good and not to tight.

The bottoms of the seat measure at about 2 inches on the passenger side and (measure pic not shown) I have about 2 3/4 on the driver side, I think I may move the driver out a little to give the center seat some more room. Remember the frame is not solid. But you can put your hands down the door panel and have good room.

[71meangreenc10]

The next pics show the frame front distance and my "High Speed" brackets,
Now the front of the seat frame measures about 2 1/2 to the tee from the hump to the front on both sides, that came out well.

The brackets are 1 1/8 angle iron 6" long and the front ones are flat stock and the rear are notched at 1 1/2. They are the same thickness as the seat frame.

I put the brackets in with grade 8 bolts and used the stock holes as the mounting template. On the front you could go a little longer, I just didnt want the bracket to go out past the seat frame. I also ran the bolt that connects the front to the frame from underneath, but not through the cab floor.

[71meangreenc10]

The next two pics are areas I am going to improve on.

First, the yellow line is where I am going to connect the center seat rear frame to the old seat belt bolts with some flat stock, just to give it more stabilty.

Second, the front part of the center I am going to put in some rubber blocks to take up the gap and make it more stable.

Now dont get me wrong, the center seat is secure to the whole frame, its just not like the old frame that is one piece across.

These additions will just make it more stronger

[71meangreenc10]

Lastly,
I show the height difference with the new seat installed.

The seats come in about 16" at the top of the front cushion, I am 5'6 and it puts my eye line about middle of the windshied and I have plenty of room between my head and the roof.

I moved the driver seat all the way back before I mocked up and fabbed up the bracket and it makes a little contact with the tank after it was installed and everything was hooked up.

Again,
I am the only one driving it so I know where it needs to be set.

Also showed some measurements of the driver side.

I am happy with it, it looks good in the truck and the seat color matches, got lucky with that.

[71meangreenc10]

Final pics,

I like it, seats are comfortable and fully adjustable, center console is great and the center seat belt works. The integrated seat belts work like they should and to me it makes a huge difference in the way the truck feels.

I am also putting newer ram seats in my burb, but these seats are from a newer model (03 and up) and require total tear down and new frame fabbed.

If anyone wants more details, please let me know.

Smitty

[Se7en Deuce]

very nice
I will be putting mine in soon, I dont have power seat or leather other wise should fit the same

[crakarjax]

What kind of car are those seats out of?

[kevmic28]

Looks good. I need to get me a seat like that soon.

[71meangreenc10]

Originally Posted by crakarjax

What kind of car are those seats out of?

99 Dodge Ram

Smitty

[flashed]

Will those seats fit with the gas tank inside the cab?

[Anadrol]

Smitty,
Did those seats give you MORE or LESS distance between your belly and the steering wheel at the far back position?

This is the same setup I was considering (I seriously wanted a '99 Ram seat setup specifically) but I cannot proceed unless the end result gives me more room behind the wheel. If it makes things tighter, then no way.

[71meangreenc10]

Originally Posted by flashed

Will those seats fit with the gas tank inside the cab?

Yes they fit well. I still have the tank in the cab.

Smitty

[71meangreenc10]

Originally Posted by Anadrol

Smitty,
Did those seats give you MORE or LESS distance between your belly and the steering wheel at the far back position?

This is the same setup I was considering (I seriously wanted a '99 Ram seat setup specifically) but I cannot proceed unless the end result gives me more room behind the wheel. If it makes things tighter, then no way.

I really cant tell much of a difference, but it does make your posture more comfortable because it seams to me you sit more with your hips at a higher angle.

I can measure my other truck and get the differences between the two, now I did just put in a tilt to the truck and it makes the truck perfect to me.

If your going to have a a standard column and standard steering wheel, you will notice a little bit tighter set from the wheel to the top of your legs because of the seat having a higher distance to the top of the cushion.

I changed the wheel from the 17 incher to a 13 3/4 wheel and added a tilt and now its smooth, I can also move the seat real close to the wheel and it rides good.

Smitty

[crakarjax]

Where is a good place to look for seats, and how much do seats like this cost?

[71meangreenc10]

Originally Posted by crakarjax

Where is a good place to look for seats, and how much do seats like this cost?

I got mine from craigslist, but you probably could get them at any pick a part, if theres one near you. I paid 200 for mine.

Smitty

[Anadrol]

Originally Posted by 71meangreenc10

If your going to have a a standard column and standard steering wheel, you will notice a little bit tighter set from the wheel to the top of your legs because of the seat having a higher distance to the top of the cushion.
Smitty

Smitty,
What are your thoughts exactly on anything different than a "standard column" ?? I have been searching the world for a smaller column that would yield more room for me. I've got a Chevy tilt column right now, but I need a tilt column where the wheel is closer to the dash.

[71meangreenc10]

Originally Posted by Anadrol

Smitty,
What are your thoughts exactly on anything different than a "standard column" ?? I have been searching the world for a smaller column that would yield more room for me. I've got a Chevy tilt column right now, but I need a tilt column where the wheel is closer to the dash.

With the chevy tilt I used with a grant wheel, it gave me alot more room, and i can move the seat real close to the dash and the truck is comfortable to drive, remember I am a small dude.

More room from the top of my legs to the wheel.

Now if you want to move the wheel closer to the dash, have you looked at a adjustable coupler with a D shaft and U joint? Like the ones from IDIDIT?

That possibly would help you out and you could loosen up the column and slide it closer to the dash.

I still havent forgotten to take some more measurements for you.

Smitty

[allthrottle,nobottle]

looks good

[epashhans]

Originally Posted by Anadrol

Smitty,
What are your thoughts exactly on anything different than a "standard column" ?? I have been searching the world for a smaller column that would yield more room for me. I've got a Chevy tilt column right now, but I need a tilt column where the wheel is closer to the dash.

Have you ever thought of getting a telescoping steering column? I am pretty sure they came in corvettes, caddies, some olds, and so on. Not sure if that would give you more room though. I was trying to think what my dad put in his model a back in the day...seems like it was a gm column out of a van??? All I know is it was shorter because he needed the room in the small coupe.